ELMHURST, Ill. – Deadlocked at 32 at halftime, the Illinois Wesleyan women's basketball team outscored Elmhurst 28-21 in the third quarter and 24-20 in the final quarter for an 84-73 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin victory at the R.A. Faganel Hall in Elmhurst on Saturday, Jan. 2.
 
Illinois Wesleyan, who got a career-high 28 points from sophomore Molly McGraw, is now 6-6 this season and won their CCIW opener for the second time in three seasons while Elmhurst dropped to 6-6 and 0-1 in the conference.
 
IWU trailed 20-16 at the end of the first frame before clawing their way back to knot the score at 32 to end the first half. Trailing 43-38 with 5:20 left in the third quarter, the Titans would close out the quarter on a 22-10 run to take a 60-53 lead. In the fourth and final quarter, IWU would see Elmhurst get within four at 69-65 before outscoring the Bluejays 11-2 over the next 3:32 to take an 80-67 lead with 1:06 left and hold on for 11 point win.
 
McGraw added four steals and two assists while eclipsing her previous high of 26 points which also came against Elmhurst. Sophomore Rebekah Ehresman scored in double figures for the 12th consecutive game, pouring in 13 points and grabbing eight rebounds while junior Gabby Weber added 10 points.

Elmhurst had three players in double-figures led by sophomore Michaela Eppard who had 15 points and 15 rebounds including 14 defensive rebounds.
 
IWU benefited from 21 points off of 20 Bluejay turnovers and scored 50 percent (42) of their points in the paint.  The Titans were outrebounded by Elmhurst 39-35, but held a 16-4 advantage in fast break points over the Bluejays.
 
What's Next?
IWU travels to No. 8-ranked Wheaton on Wednesday, Jan. 6 for a 7 p.m. conference clash at King Arena. The Thunder are 8-2 this season heading into a road game at Augustana on Saturday night.